Attorney General Jeff Sessions says free speech is 'under attack' on college campuses

Sadie Gurman, Associated Press

September 26, 2017Updated: September 26, 2017 7:43pm

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In a speech at Georgetown University, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said universities cave in to protesters' demands because of political correctness.

In a speech at Georgetown University, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said universities cave in to protesters' demands because of political correctness.

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, STF

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks about free speech at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Sessions says the U.S. Justice Department will intervene on behalf of people who sue colleges claiming their free speech rights were violated.(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) less

Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks about free speech at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Sessions says the U.S. Justice Department will intervene on behalf of ... more

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, STF

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks about free speech at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Sessions says the U.S. Justice Department will intervene on behalf of people who sue colleges claiming their free speech rights were violated.(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) less

Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks about free speech at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Sessions says the U.S. Justice Department will intervene on behalf of ... more

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, STF

Image 4 of 4

Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks about free speech at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Sessions says the U.S. Justice Department will intervene on behalf of people who sue colleges claiming their free speech rights were violated.(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) less

Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks about free speech at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Sessions says the U.S. Justice Department will intervene on behalf of ... more

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, STF

Attorney General Jeff Sessions says free speech is 'under attack' on college campuses

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WASHINGTON - Decrying what he sees as political correctness run amok on college campuses, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Tuesday the Justice Department will ramp up its support for students who sue universities claiming their free-speech rights have been violated.

The complexity of the free-speech issue was on display as Sessions spoke to an invitation-only crowd at Georgetown University's law school.

About 200 protesters gathered outside in university-designated "free speech zones" and some students complained they were excluded from the Sessions event.

But even as he lamented what he sees as a lack of tolerance for unpopular views on college campuses, Sessions condemned the NFL players who have been exercising their own freedom of expression by kneeling silently during the national anthem before games.

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"These players, with all the assets they have, can express their political views without in effect denigrating the symbols of our nation, a nation that has provided our freedom to speak," Sessions said during a question-and-answer period.

In declaring free speech "under attack" on college campuses, Sessions dove into an issue that has become a cause celebre for conservatives who argue their voices are being drowned out on college campuses, with speeches by right-wing figures derailed by protests and threats of violence.

Demonstrations erupted this week at the University of California, Berkeley, around a planned four-day conservative event dubbed Free Speech Week, which was suddenly canceled.

As Sessions spoke, the Justice Department announced it would throw its support behind a student who sued Georgia Gwinnett College, arguing his rights were violated..